Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Prologue

A year had passed since Dr. Cortex's second defeat. Ever since, the bandicoots were able to relax and live a peaceful life. Natalie had been living with them, which was quite possibly the most difficult decision she had ever made. Still, she would rather live with her former nemeses than live on as Cortex's slave for the remainder of her days.

Outside, Crash was playing with his new yo-yo. Coco was typing away at her laptop, paying no mind to the others. Polar was sleeping soundly, while Tawna was eyeing her boyfriend fondly. Aku Aku kept a watchful eye on everyone, while Natalie kept to herself whilst reading a book.

All of a sudden, the group heard maniacal laughter echo through the air. Natalie, recognizing the voice, slammed her book shut as she and the others retreated indoors.

Aku Aku knew very well who the voice belonged to. "Uka Uka is free?" he said in a state of alarm. "No, it cannot be! Evil...great evil has come."

***

Cortex found himself in what seemed to be yet another Warp Room; however, it was quite different from the others. He shook in his boots, falling to his knees as a blue entity arrived.

"None have dared to fail the great Uka Uka even once," began the entity, "but you, Cortex...you have failed me twice!"

"Great Uka Uka, it was that infernal bandicoot," Cortex stammered.

"From deep inside my temple prison, I sent you simple instructions to follow." The entity transformed to his real self - a floating mask, similar to Aku Aku. "But you lost the gems, you lost the crystals, and I have lost my patience! There is now no other power source left on this planet."

"I know we've had a few unfortunate...setbacks--"

"And failed! But, since your bumbling has managed to set me free, I am feeling...generous. There is still a way to amass the power needed to enslave this miserable planet, and this time...this time, the great Uka Uka will make sure that you do it right!"

A portal appeared, and two certain individuals stepped into view. One was Aisleen, while the other was a man with blue skin and golden armor.

"Ah, Nefarious," greeted Cortex. "Where have you been?"

"You know very well where I have been," said the blue man. "And I have told you many a time to call me N. Tropy!"

"Now now, dear," Aisleen said in a soothing voice. "I am certain that Cortex will tell us everything we need to know."

"O-Of course," Cortex stuttered.

***

"It would seem that my evil twin brother, Uka Uka, has been freed from his underground prison," Aku Aku said.

"You never told us you had a brother," Coco spoke up.

"I heard of him a few times," said Natalie, "from Dr. Cortex. Cortex is nothing but a means to an end."

"Long ago, I sealed him away to protect the world from his malice," the mask continued. "Now, free once again, he must be stopped!"

As the bandicoots, the mask, Natalie, and even Polar left, Tawna looked on and said, "Be careful, Crash..."

The group soon found themselves in an area they did not recognize. Another Warp Room, perhaps?

"Children," Aku Aku began, "Uka Uka and Cortex plan to use this Time-Twisting Machine to gather crystals that lay scattered across time. I have brought you here to recover the crystals before they do. To open the time portal, simply stand on a button and jump into the portal. Good luck." Before anyone could ask how the mask knew any of that, he disappeared.

"So," said Coco, "we have to travel to various time periods. Shouldn't be too difficult."

Crash, however, was shaking nervously. "Are you serious?" Natalie scoffed. "You're nervous? Aren't you supposed to be a hero or something?"

"Natalie..."

Natalie looked off to the side. "I...I apologize. I'm still new to this whole 'being good' thing."

"It's okay. You'll get used to it eventually. Now let's get going. Those crystals aren't going to find themselves."